<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns defensive end Lance Jackson (40) sings \u201cThe Eyes of Texas\u201d following the Longhorns\u2019 27-24 loss to the Florida Gators at home in Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin, Oct. 17, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
During each of the past two weekends, Texas football<\/a> defensive tackle\u00a0Hero Kanu<\/a> had tried his best to calm the masses.<\/p>\n Following the 27-24 loss to Oklahoma<\/a>,\u00a0Kanu told a room of reporters that the \u201cseason is not over, guys. We\u2019ve still got a bunch of games to play in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n A Texas Longhorns fan reacts to a fumble recovery by Florida during the game at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n MORE: Subscribe to the Statesman’s Texas sports newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n BLED OUT: Why Steve Sarkisian’s postgame comments were revealing<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n On Saturday, Texas lost by the same score to Florida<\/a>. Like Oklahoma, Florida was unranked by the Associated Press.\u00a0Kanu, though, again attempted to be optimistic \u2014 if not, a little introspective \u2014 after the game.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n “Men only die when they give up, when they don’t believe no more. I’m telling you, we still believe,” said Kanu, a fifth-year defensive lineman. “So whatever happened today, happened today. We\u2019ve got to move on.”<\/p>\n Kanu isn’t wrong. No. 19 Texas (4-2, 1-2 SEC) isn’t dead. A College Football Playoff berth is still possible and a trip to the SEC championship game may even still be a possibility since every team in the conference has lost at least once in league play.<\/p>\n But in an era where two losses are likely the CFP cutoff line, the Longhorns are running out of reasons to believe. Starting with this Saturday’s home game against Ole Miss, Texas has six dates and little\u00a0room for error left in the regular season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n What’s next for Texas as it tries to rebound from\u00a0slump?<\/p>\n NO. 19 TEXAS VS. NO. 7 OLE MISS<\/p>\n When\/where:\u00a06:30 p.m. Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium.<\/p>\n TV\/radio:\u00a0ABC; 1300 AM, 98.1 FM, 105.3 FM.<\/p>\n Texas plummeted in the AP rankings Sunday<\/a>. The Longhorns are now 19th and Ole Miss climbed to Texas’ previous No. 7 slot in the poll, but Texas will still open this week\u00a0as the betting favorite<\/a> for this weekend’s showdown.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n GOLDEN: Texas Longhorns’ College Football Playoff hopes dying after nasty loss to Florida<\/a><\/p>\n Ole Miss (5-1, 3-1) is one of three ranked teams left on Texas’ schedule. Texas will host Mississippi State (4-2, 2-2) and then travel to No. 22 Missouri (5-2, 2-2) and No. 18 LSU (5-2, 2-2). The Longhorns close out the regular season with rivalry games against Arkansas (3-4, 1-3) and Texas A&M (4-3, 1-3)<\/a>.<\/p>\n “We don’t have any College Football Playoff rankings yet,” Kanu said. “We will see after Week 12 where we’re at in those rankings, but we’ve still got more games to play.”<\/p>\n Texas will split its remaining six games between home and the road, but going 6-0 is easier said than done. The football program has won six straight conference games in the same season only twice since 2010, and Texas was a Big 12 team for those\u00a0streaks in 2013 and 2023. Since joining the SEC ahead of the 2024 season, UT’s longest in-season streak in conference play has been five games.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas linebacker Justin Cryer (28) celebrates a defensive stop during the game against Florida at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Texas has things to fix, but not a lot of time to fix them<\/p>\n Like Kanu, other members of the Texas football team tried to not treat the Florida loss like a funeral. Center Connor Robertson said he felt fortunate to be playing for the Longhorns, and quarterback Arch Manning<\/a> reflected that “you’ve got to find ways to be grateful because I’ve dreamed to be in this position so I’m not going to take it for granted.” While speaking to media, punt returner\u00a0Ryan Niblett<\/a> sat with his 1-year-old daughter,\u00a0Romi, on his lap and said he even viewed talking with the media as a blessing.<\/p>\n MORE: How the Texas Longhorns graded in their loss to Florida<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Longhorns, however, know that they have work to do. Head coach Steve\u00a0Sarkisian told reporters that everything on the offense needed to be evaluated<\/a> after the subpar showing against Florida, including his own play-calling and Manning’s starting status. The defense was also left looking for answers after Florida converted eight third-downs in the second half and star edge rusher Colin Simmons left with a leg injury<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n And although Niblett’s touchdown off a 63-yard punt return gave special teams coach Jeff Banks a temporary reprieve, plenty of questions still exist with that unit, too.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n